Page 19 - An Innovation Spirit ...

often 17 years old, get to see the
clinic, are welcomed by Radhika
Sivanandan, the Patient Flow
Co-ordinator, and are offered a
healthy snack. They are examined
by Dr. Erik Boot, a clinical
and research Fellow from the
Netherlands and a physician for
people with intellectual disability.
“They get a chance to know each
“We’ve developed a wonderful
transition program with
the Hospital for Sick Children.
They start out over there, and our
staff members go over there and
walk them across the street to
Toronto General.”
Dr. Anne Bassett,
Director of the Dalglish Family Hearts and Minds Clinic
© 2015 Ernst & Young LLP. All Rights Reserved. ED00
Winter 2016
other [from SickKids], which, I
think, is a benefit because they
know they’re not alone, and that
is really good,” says Dr. Bassett. the phone.”
“For their next visit, they know
where to come, they've seen
everyone once and there’s some
development of familiarity. It’s
much more likely they’re going
to come to their appointments
here, after they leave SickKids, McFarlane and colleague Lisa
because they’ve met the person Palmer will e-mail and speak
who is going to talk to them on with patients, sometimes on a
daily basis. Registered dietitian
Samantha Cooper works with the
The clinic also provides social family and patients on dietary
workers, a registered dietitian, plans, part of the preventative
psychiatrists, endocrinologists, treatment of 22q. This includes
neurologists and genetics ensuring patients have enough
expertise for the patient and calcium and vitamin D (calcium
their family. Everyone is able to deficiency is a symptom of 22q) to
talk with each other face to face, prevent seizures.
and all the patient files are under
one roof. This creates a holistic For Ms. Dalglish, the experience
approach to treatment, not just has been positive. “It’s less
for the patient, but also for the stressful. I can make friends. I
caregivers. met my best friend at the clinic.”
“Families are overwhelmed,” There is still a lot of work to be
says Pam McFarlane, a social done, says Dr. Bassett. “To this
worker with the clinic. “It’s hard day, we just don’t have a ‘What is
to do your own research, and we 22q’ message for the public. And a
can help with developmental and lot of education is still needed for
financial resources.” This personal doctors and trainees. It’s better
touch extends beyond the than it was 20 years ago, but it’s
monthly or yearly appointments still an uphill battle.”
and family meetings. It’s not
unusual for patients to e-mail *Name changed upon request.
or call the clinic to check in. Ms.
No sick days.
That would be better.
There’s nothing more important than good
health. At EY, we’re proud to support the
Peter Munk Cardiac Centre and their efforts
to make sick days a thing of the past.
Because helping people live healthier lives
means helping to build a better working world.
Visit ey.com/ca/pmm.
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